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vbaker220
Jan 14, 2008, 12:30 PM
Our house is 300' (uphill, fortunately) from the sewer main. We have a 3.0 gallon/flush toilet, because the plumber told my husband (twenty years ago, when he built the house) that he'd need to make sure we had a lot of water going down to wash solids all the way to the sewer main.
Now the top of the toilet tank is broken, and I can't find a replacement (because they evidently don't make tanks that big any more). I can't find a replacement tank, either. It's a two-piece American Standard toilet, in white; nothing exceptional, but it is a 3-gallon tank on a 20-year old toilet...

Please note, in the 20 years since the house was built, we've (knock on wood!) never had a clog in the pipe down to the main.

Here's the questions:

1) do we REALLY need a 3.0 gpf toilet?
2) is there some supplier, somewhere, who might have a replacement tank top? Or replacement tank-and-top?
3) is there some fixture manufacturer who still MAKES a 3.0gpf toilet?
4) what kind (if any) of new, low-flow flushing technology will reliably get the solid waste from the bathroom to the sewer main?

Thank you in advance--any expertise is appreciated!


VB

ballengerb1
Jan 14, 2008, 03:29 PM
These guys may help you but I think a 1.6 gal toilet will work fine for you. This Old Toilet, "What's Wrong With Your Toilet?" (http://www.thisoldtoilet.com/) There are many salvage houses that sell previously sat on toilet parts so you could try one of them.

massplumber2008
Jan 14, 2008, 03:39 PM
Well.. here are my thoughts on the subject. Today... they make some great toilets.. not like it was 15 years ago... I mean some of them really work well.. I do not care how far your house is from the city sewer pipe. I like TOTO toilets... I like American Standard toilets... I even like some Kohler toilets (brands available in my area at home depot/lowes/plumbing supply house). I know of homes farther away than yours and they do fine.

The reason I am not so concerned about the distance away from the city sewer is because I am sure you are using showers, tubs, and washing machines!! These fixtures/appliances will do the work of pushing anything down the line that has to be moved down the drain.

Years ago, 3 gallons was required simply to evacuate the water closet and clean the bowl. Today, we are doing it with 1.6 gallon flushes quite well... BUT talk to people/plumbers in your are to be sure what they recommend in your area.

If you are bound and determined to keep your toilet a 3 gallon, well... call around to some of the plumbing companies in your area... SOME OF THEM MIGHT ACTAULLY HAVE A COUPLE STACKED HIGH ON A SHELF WAYYYY IN THE BACK THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SAVING MORE IN CASE THEY BREAK A 3 GALLON THAN ANYTHING ELSE.. *LAUGH*. Seriously, I would not put too much effort into the search... but you may be surprised.. also.. never know... e-bay has some pretty weird stuff for sale... anyway... good luck and I hope this helped some.

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